North Geelong Warriors
Encyclopedia
The North Geelong Warriors Football Club, (previously known as North Geelong Croatia), is a Croatian backed football (soccer)
club from the regional Victoria
n city of Geelong. The club continues to have strong links to and support from the city’s large Croatian community. The club is a regular participant in the Australian-Croatian Soccer Tournament
, which it has hosted 4 times. North Geelong also competes in the annual Geelong Community Shield Cup (previously known as the Geelong Advertiser Cup) which the club has dominated throughout the years and has won a total of 17 Cup titles (the most titles won by a club).
North Geelong holds the record in the Geelong Community Shield Cup with 7 consecutive wins from 1991 - 1997. North Geelong's biggest victory in a final was in 1996 at Stead Park with a record breaking 8-1 thrashing of rivals Geelong. The Geelong Cup is in its 31st year with North Geelong winning half of the Cup's titles.
n migrants namely Joe Radojevic, Vinko Radojevic, Aldo Siketa, Ivan Sesar and Mirko Hrkac. The club slowly moved its way up the Victorian leagues. By 1972 the club was competing in the Victorian Provisional League. But that year would prove to be a dark year for the club. North Geelong was expelled from the Victorian Provisional League after an altercation in a match with Werribee. North Geelong was accepted back into the Geelong competition in 1973, but did not re-enter the Victorian Provisional League until 1979.
By 1984 the club had risen up to Division 2 where they remained until they won the Division 2 title in 1989, getting promoted to Division 1. 1990 saw Melbourne Croatia legend Brank Culina take over as coach, he would lead the side for 3 seasons. He would go on to have an incredible impact on the club in what would be its most successful period. In 1991 they won the Division 1 title, finishng a point ahead of Knox City. So in 1992 the club entered the Victorian Premier league for the very first time. In its inaugural season the club surprised everyone finishing first and collecting the Minor Premiership. The club went on to make the Grand Final. They faced former National Soccer League champions Brunswick Juventus at Middle Park. North Geelong’s George Karkaletsis opened the scoring on the 22nd minute. Brunswick equalized 4 minutes later. The match remained 1-1 at full time, taking it into extra time. North Geelong ripped Brunswick apart scoring 3 unanswered goals from Adrian Cervinski, Robert Markovac and Robert Cosic. It was an unprecedented event, the only time a newly promoted side had won the title in their first season. Players in this championship side included Steve Horvat, Adrian Cervinski
and David Cervinski. All three players would become successful players in the National Soccer League. All three were a part of the Melbourne Knights
National Soccer League championship side of the mid 90s.
1993 was another successful season. The club finished third in the regular season, making the finals for a second year in a row. But this time their finals campaign did not prove to rewarding as in the previous season. The club lost both its finals matches, including a heartbreaking loss in extra time to Sunshine George Cross.
The next three seasons saw the club miss out on finals action, finishing mid table. But some joy came with the club producing another star player in Josip Skoko
. 1997 proved to be a disastrous season for the club, finishing 2nd last and being relegated to Division 1. In 1999 the club was relegated to Division 2. It had been a quick fall from the top. The club remained in Division 2 for the next 6 seasons, with poor results. All that changed by 2005, club legends Adrian Cervinski and David Cervinski had returned to the club. The club won the championship in 2005, losing only 4 matches and being promoted to Division 1.
The club went into the 2006 Division 1 season with high hopes, they were undefeated in their first 7 games. But slowly they fell away, eventually finishing a respectable 4th and missing out on promotion to the Victorian Premier League. With a number of players leaving the squad at the start of the 2007 season, North Geelong struggled throughout the season and were subject to relegation. However with a new batch of players and new coach Vinko Buljubasic
the club came 4th at the end of the 2008 season. In 2009 the club was promoted back into the State League Division 1 after clinching the Division 2 title. After an inconsistent 2010 season, the club finished in 8th spot, well clear of relegation, but also lower than expectations. In the summer of 2011, Vinko Buljubasic was relieved of his duties as manager and replaced by Ante Skoko with his brother, a recently retired professional footballer, Josip Skoko
as his assistant.
Bill Fleming Medal - Media voted VPL Player of the Year
Victorian Premier league Coach of the Year
Victorian Premier League Under 21 Player of the Year
Victorian Premier League Jim Rooney Medal - Grand Final Man of the Match
Weinstein Medal Junior Player of the Year
Socceroos
Francis Awaritefe
Steve Horvat Matthew Spiranovic
Josip Skoko
Australia U-23
Adrian Cervinski
Joey Didulica Josip Skoko
Matthew Spiranovic
Australia U-20
Josip Skoko
Matthew Spiranovic
Francis Awaritefe
Joey Didulica Steve Horvat Josip Skoko
Matthew Spiranovic
Geelong Regional Football Association
List of Croatian football clubs in Australia
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
club from the regional Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
n city of Geelong. The club continues to have strong links to and support from the city’s large Croatian community. The club is a regular participant in the Australian-Croatian Soccer Tournament
Australian-Croatian Soccer Tournament
The Australian-Croatian Soccer Tournament is a tournament run by the Croatian Soccer Federation of Australia and New Zealand, an organisation founded in 1974. The inspiration for the tournament came from the successful Croatian-North American Soccer Tournament founded in 1964...
, which it has hosted 4 times. North Geelong also competes in the annual Geelong Community Shield Cup (previously known as the Geelong Advertiser Cup) which the club has dominated throughout the years and has won a total of 17 Cup titles (the most titles won by a club).
North Geelong holds the record in the Geelong Community Shield Cup with 7 consecutive wins from 1991 - 1997. North Geelong's biggest victory in a final was in 1996 at Stead Park with a record breaking 8-1 thrashing of rivals Geelong. The Geelong Cup is in its 31st year with North Geelong winning half of the Cup's titles.
History
North Geelong Croatia was formed in 1967 by newly arrived CroatiaCroatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
n migrants namely Joe Radojevic, Vinko Radojevic, Aldo Siketa, Ivan Sesar and Mirko Hrkac. The club slowly moved its way up the Victorian leagues. By 1972 the club was competing in the Victorian Provisional League. But that year would prove to be a dark year for the club. North Geelong was expelled from the Victorian Provisional League after an altercation in a match with Werribee. North Geelong was accepted back into the Geelong competition in 1973, but did not re-enter the Victorian Provisional League until 1979.
By 1984 the club had risen up to Division 2 where they remained until they won the Division 2 title in 1989, getting promoted to Division 1. 1990 saw Melbourne Croatia legend Brank Culina take over as coach, he would lead the side for 3 seasons. He would go on to have an incredible impact on the club in what would be its most successful period. In 1991 they won the Division 1 title, finishng a point ahead of Knox City. So in 1992 the club entered the Victorian Premier league for the very first time. In its inaugural season the club surprised everyone finishing first and collecting the Minor Premiership. The club went on to make the Grand Final. They faced former National Soccer League champions Brunswick Juventus at Middle Park. North Geelong’s George Karkaletsis opened the scoring on the 22nd minute. Brunswick equalized 4 minutes later. The match remained 1-1 at full time, taking it into extra time. North Geelong ripped Brunswick apart scoring 3 unanswered goals from Adrian Cervinski, Robert Markovac and Robert Cosic. It was an unprecedented event, the only time a newly promoted side had won the title in their first season. Players in this championship side included Steve Horvat, Adrian Cervinski
Adrian Cervinski
Adrian Cervinski is an Australian footballer of Polish descent who currently plays for North Geelong Warriors in the Victorian State League Division 1, Australia's Third Division....
and David Cervinski. All three players would become successful players in the National Soccer League. All three were a part of the Melbourne Knights
Melbourne Knights
Melbourne Knights Football Club is a football club representing Melbourne, Australia in the Victorian Premier League . The club is one of the most successful football clubs in Australia, being a two-time championship and four-time premiership winner in the now defunct National Soccer League...
National Soccer League championship side of the mid 90s.
1993 was another successful season. The club finished third in the regular season, making the finals for a second year in a row. But this time their finals campaign did not prove to rewarding as in the previous season. The club lost both its finals matches, including a heartbreaking loss in extra time to Sunshine George Cross.
The next three seasons saw the club miss out on finals action, finishing mid table. But some joy came with the club producing another star player in Josip Skoko
Josip Skoko
Josip Skoko is a former Australian football player who last played as a Central Midfielder for A-League club Melbourne Heart.-Early career:...
. 1997 proved to be a disastrous season for the club, finishing 2nd last and being relegated to Division 1. In 1999 the club was relegated to Division 2. It had been a quick fall from the top. The club remained in Division 2 for the next 6 seasons, with poor results. All that changed by 2005, club legends Adrian Cervinski and David Cervinski had returned to the club. The club won the championship in 2005, losing only 4 matches and being promoted to Division 1.
The club went into the 2006 Division 1 season with high hopes, they were undefeated in their first 7 games. But slowly they fell away, eventually finishing a respectable 4th and missing out on promotion to the Victorian Premier League. With a number of players leaving the squad at the start of the 2007 season, North Geelong struggled throughout the season and were subject to relegation. However with a new batch of players and new coach Vinko Buljubasic
Vinko Buljubasic
Vinko Buljubasic was an Australian football player who used to play for NSL clubs Melbourne Knights, Perth Glory and the Football Kingz.-References:...
the club came 4th at the end of the 2008 season. In 2009 the club was promoted back into the State League Division 1 after clinching the Division 2 title. After an inconsistent 2010 season, the club finished in 8th spot, well clear of relegation, but also lower than expectations. In the summer of 2011, Vinko Buljubasic was relieved of his duties as manager and replaced by Ante Skoko with his brother, a recently retired professional footballer, Josip Skoko
Josip Skoko
Josip Skoko is a former Australian football player who last played as a Central Midfielder for A-League club Melbourne Heart.-Early career:...
as his assistant.
Honours
- Victorian Premier LeagueVictorian Premier LeagueThe Victorian Premier League is the highest State level association football competition in Victoria, Australia, and second highest nationally after the A-League...
Champions 1992 - Victorian Premier LeagueVictorian Premier LeagueThe Victorian Premier League is the highest State level association football competition in Victoria, Australia, and second highest nationally after the A-League...
Minor Premiers 1992 - Victorian Premier LeagueVictorian Premier LeagueThe Victorian Premier League is the highest State level association football competition in Victoria, Australia, and second highest nationally after the A-League...
Finalists (Playoffs) 1992, 1993 - Victorian State League Division 1Victorian State League Division 1The Victorian State League Division 1 is the second tier association football competition in Victoria, Australia, and the third nationally, including the A-League...
Champions 1991 - Victorian State League Division 2 Champions 1989, 2005, 2009
- Victorian Provisional League Division 2 Champions 1981
- Victorian Provisional League Division 3 Champions 1980
- Geelong Advertiser Cup/Community Shield Champions 1985, 1986, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2011
- Geelong Advertiser Cup/Community Shield Runner-Up 1988, 1990, 1998, 2000, 2002
Individual Honours
Victorian Premier League Gold Medal - VPL Player of the Year- 1992 - Bogdan Bonk
- 1994 - Josip Skoko
Bill Fleming Medal - Media voted VPL Player of the Year
- 1993 - David Cervinski
Victorian Premier league Coach of the Year
- 1992 - Branko Culina
Victorian Premier League Under 21 Player of the Year
- 1994 - Josip Skoko
Victorian Premier League Jim Rooney Medal - Grand Final Man of the Match
- 1992 - David Cervinski
Weinstein Medal Junior Player of the Year
- 1992 - Josip Skoko
- 2005 - Matthew Spiranovic
Divisional History
- Victorian State League 1 2010 – present
- Victorian State League 2 N/W 2008-2009
- Victorian State League 1 2006-2007
- Victorian State League 2 N/W 2000-2005
- Victorian State League 1 1998-1999
- Victorian Premier LeagueVictorian Premier LeagueThe Victorian Premier League is the highest State level association football competition in Victoria, Australia, and second highest nationally after the A-League...
1992-1997 - Victorian State League 1 1990-1991
- Victorian State League 2 1984-1989
- Metropolitan League Division 4 1982-1983
- Victorian Provisional League 2 1981
- Victorian Provisional League 3 1979-1980
SocceroosAustralia national football (soccer) teamThe Australia national association football team represents Australia in international association football competitions. Its official nickname is the "Socceroos"...
Francis AwaritefeFrancis Awaritefe
Francis Edgar Awaritefe is an Australian former football player, and is currently Director of Football at Melbourne Victory...
Steve Horvat Matthew Spiranovic
Matthew Spiranovic
Matthew Thomas Špiranović is an Australian football player who currently plays for J. League club Urawa Red Diamonds.-Career:...
Josip Skoko
Josip Skoko
Josip Skoko is a former Australian football player who last played as a Central Midfielder for A-League club Melbourne Heart.-Early career:...
Australia U-23Australia national under-23 football teamThe Australia Olympic football team, more commonly known as the Olyroos, is controlled by Football Federation Australia and represents Australia at association football in the Olympic Games...
Adrian CervinskiAdrian Cervinski
Adrian Cervinski is an Australian footballer of Polish descent who currently plays for North Geelong Warriors in the Victorian State League Division 1, Australia's Third Division....
Joey Didulica Josip Skoko
Josip Skoko
Josip Skoko is a former Australian football player who last played as a Central Midfielder for A-League club Melbourne Heart.-Early career:...
Matthew Spiranovic
Matthew Spiranovic
Matthew Thomas Špiranović is an Australian football player who currently plays for J. League club Urawa Red Diamonds.-Career:...
Australia U-20Australia national under-20 football teamThe Australia national under-20 association football team, more commonly known as the Young Socceroos, is controlled by Football Federation Australia and represents Australia in international Under 20 or youth football competitions....
Josip SkokoJosip Skoko
Josip Skoko is a former Australian football player who last played as a Central Midfielder for A-League club Melbourne Heart.-Early career:...
Matthew Spiranovic
Matthew Spiranovic
Matthew Thomas Špiranović is an Australian football player who currently plays for J. League club Urawa Red Diamonds.-Career:...
Notable former players
Francis AwaritefeFrancis Awaritefe
Francis Edgar Awaritefe is an Australian former football player, and is currently Director of Football at Melbourne Victory...
Joey Didulica Steve Horvat Josip SkokoJosip Skoko
Josip Skoko is a former Australian football player who last played as a Central Midfielder for A-League club Melbourne Heart.-Early career:...
Matthew Spiranovic
Matthew Spiranovic
Matthew Thomas Špiranović is an Australian football player who currently plays for J. League club Urawa Red Diamonds.-Career:...
- Adrian CervinskiAdrian CervinskiAdrian Cervinski is an Australian footballer of Polish descent who currently plays for North Geelong Warriors in the Victorian State League Division 1, Australia's Third Division....
- David Cervinski
- Mijo Trupkovic
- Steve Vuckovic
- Bogdan Bonk
- Robert Cosic
- Ante Deak
- Frank Simovic
- Richard O'Sullivan
See also
Australian football (soccer) league systemAustralian football (soccer) league system
The Australian league system for football is a series of leagues for club soccer in Australia . The league system in Australia since 1977 has involved a one divisional league controlled by the national body and many leagues run within each state below...
Geelong Regional Football Association
GRFA
Geelong Regional Football Association is the Governing body of Association Football in Geelong, Victoria, Australia...
List of Croatian football clubs in Australia